Wireless Collimator Control via Perspective-Aligned 3D Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for adjusting X-ray collimators in medical imaging devices are not intuitive, requiring poor hand-eye coordination and involving inconvenient mental orientation corrections, especially when using mobile operator devices from different positions around the patient table.
Innovation Solution
A method using a wireless, hand-held smart device with a touchscreen to visualize the collimator settings in 3D, determining the operator's position and orientation to align the display with their view, allowing direct manipulation of the X-ray beam on the touchscreen for intuitive adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual rotary knobs or local control buttons are used for collimator adjustment, then the collimator can be adjusted, but the operator experiences poor hand-eye coordination and must maintain hands away from the patient
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile operator device with touchscreen display serves as an intermediary between the operator and the collimator control system. The device receives touch inputs from the operator and transmits control signals to adjust the collimator settings, eliminating the need for direct manual manipulation near the patient while maintaining intuitive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical control interface (rotary knobs and physical buttons) is replaced with a touchscreen-based graphical user interface. This substitution allows the operator to control collimator settings through touch gestures on a visual display, improving hand-eye coordination and allowing hands to remain away from the patient.
2Ease of operation
If mobile operator device with fixed perspective display is used, then the operator can control collimator remotely, but the operator must mentally perform orientation corrections when moving around the patient table
Solution Approach 1:
The display perspective dynamically adapts to the operator's position and orientation relative to the patient table. Sensors in the mobile device detect the operator's location and automatically adjust the visual representation of the collimator and beam geometry to match the operator's current viewpoint, eliminating the need for manual orientation corrections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the operator's position and orientation through sensor data and provides real-time feedback by adjusting the display perspective accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that the visual representation always aligns with the operator's current viewing angle, enhancing usability regardless of operator position.
3Device complexity
If 2D display is used for collimator control, then the interface is simple, but the operator lacks intuitive spatial understanding of the X-ray beam geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The display transitions from a traditional 2D representation to a 3D visualizing display that renders the X-ray beam geometry in three dimensions. This allows the operator to intuitively understand the spatial relationships and beam orientation while maintaining a user-friendly interface through the touchscreen.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is for a medical imaging X-ray device including an X-ray generator, to which the collimator is assigned, an X-ray detector, a patient table for positioning a patient to be X-rayed, and a wireless, hand-held operator device including a touchscreen. In an embodiment, the method includes generating a display, visualizing a current setting of the collimator, on the touchscreen; adjusting the collimator according to operating data describing a manipulation of display elements of the display; determining position information, describing at least one of a position and orientation of the operator, from sensor data of at least one sensor; selecting a perspective, using the position information determined, corresponding at least approximately to a viewing angle of an operator with respect to the patient table; and generating the display for three-dimensionally visualizing, showing an X-ray beam with the collimator settings adjusted, at the perspective selected.